ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a number of different theories of organization, all of which have contributed to our current understanding of public administration. It also discusses some of the theories that deal exclusively with public organizations, although most do not. The chapter focuses on some of the significant events and authors in the history of organization theory. Early classical organization theory contributes in an important way to contemporary public organizations. Early theorists tended to focus on the structural aspects of organizations and determined the "one best way" for organizing. The chapter also focuses on humanist theories of organization. These authors studied human relations and other dimensions of organization missing from classical organization theory. The chapter then deals with more recent theories of organization, including open systems, public choice, new public administration, new public management, and postmodern public administration. It also deals with the relationship between civil society and organization theory.
